Shop owner dies after violent robbery

Judith Ducker (64) was attacked in a robbery at Wellgate News, Wellgate, on Thursday, September 1, between 11 am and 11.25am.

Mrs Ducker suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital but died yesterday (October 20).

Detectives investigating the incident want to trace the people pictured in the CCTV images as potential witnesses to the crime and have stressed they are not in any trouble.

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “A post-mortem examination was carried out this morning and while Mrs Ducker did have underlying health conditions, the results were inconclusive and the cause of death has not been ascertained. 

“Further tests have been requested.”

Det Sgt Andy Shields said: “This is an incredibly sad time for Mrs Ducker’s family and friends and my thoughts and sympathies are with them.

“We are continuing to investigate the incident and we are very keen to identify and trace the man and woman on the CCTV images, as we believe they may have entered the store between the times stated and be the last people to have possibly seen or spoken to Mrs Ducker prior to the alleged attack.

“I want to make clear they are not in any trouble at all and we do only want to trace them as potential witnesses, as they may have vital information that is crucial to our investigation.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 388 of September 2.

Paul Storm Blueitt (36), of Cambridge Crescent, Rotherham, was charged with attempted murder and robbery on September 6 in connection with the incident.

He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on October 3 and was remanded in custody until his next court date on December 19.

No pleas have been entered but a seven-day trial has been provisionally listed for March 6, 2017.